Are you ready to plant your vegetable garden?! It’s felt like spring for a while now, but we’ve still had some frosty nights that have made knowing when to plant those plants challenging. We’ll tell you exactly when to plant your vegetables to ensure that you get the maximum growing season from your labors!
What to Plant NOW
Some spring and summer vegetables to plant in early April include: kale, broccoli, radishes, eggplant, lettuce, corn, and artichokes. These vegetables are cold-weather crops that should be planted immediately. Planting them immediately will ensure that their growing season lasts longer. These crops actually taste better if they’ve been exposed to cold and are less bitter than they would be otherwise.
What to Plant Later
Summer Vegetables to plant in mid-April and early May include: sweet potatoes, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. These vegetables are warm-weather crops that should be planted after the last frost. Otherwise, they could die in the freezing temperatures if not cared for properly.
Plants whose seeds need to be planted directly into the ground can be planted then, too. These include melons, carrots, parsnips, beets, beans, and squash that will be harvested in winter and summer.
Frost Tips!
This year’s official last frost date is April 27th, but there really shouldn’t be frost after April 10th. What does this mean for you? You should go ahead and plant any cold-weather crops now! For all other crops, wait until April 10th to plant them and make sure that you keep an eye on the weather until the end of April.
If there are any particularly frigid nights, cover warm-weather crops with a sheet or blanket so they don’t freeze. Cold weather plants should be fine down to 25° without cover. If you want tips on when to plant other vegetables, check out this chart from NC State!
Want to plant flowers in your garden for spring that will be hardy enough to stand some of the summer heat? Check out this article from Southern Living to find out the best spring flowers to plant!
If you need extra help keeping your home in tip-top shape, give us a call at 919-68-CLEAN! We clean houses in Durham and the Triangle.
